Ivy ran a hand over her new cross necklace, fidgeting as she waited at the bar. The day after she’d gotten back the key, she’d handed it over to Quinn, then promptly went out and bought herself a shiny new silver cross to replace it. As she played with it with her fingers, she knew it wasn’t the same and never would be. In more ways than she wanted to admit to herself.
The cross had represented so many things to her. Quinn’s love and abandonment. As well as Ronan’s betrayal. And his attempt at redemption when he brought it back. Thirty days later and she still was waiting for him to show up at her door and apologize.
The bartender set down another drink in front of her. Soda and lime. She took a sip and spun on her chair to check out the place again. This was her first job since coming back from Sumner. Another bar. What was it with demons and bars? She supposed there were easier targets here. Mostly drunk, desperate women in this particular place. So, perfect for a male demon predator.
This one was a little different, though. He hadn’t killed anyone, yet. He just got them drunk or stoned, took them out back and seduced them. He was a lust demon. Sex was how he got his energy, how he fed.
This one also supposedly had important information that Quinn needed. Something about the Chest of Sorrows. The chest that King Solomon had encased his grimoire in. Hence, her brother was across the room sitting at a little table in the corner, surveying the same crowd she was. Unfortunately they didn’t have a clue what the demon looked like. They just had to be on the lookout for the signs, do a sweep, listen to their amulets and hopefully find the right one with the hellfire in his eyes.
It was strange doing a job with Quinn. They hadn’t worked together since before he’d left over three years ago. But they’d easily fallen back into a rhythm. With Quinn telling her what to do again. She’d wanted to tell him to shove it up his butt, but the fight had quickly gone out of her and she’d done what he asked without a comment. He’d seemed surprised, but didn’t question it.
Her fire was fizzling. There wasn’t much in life that fired her up anymore. Even hunting was starting to lose its spark. She was seriously thinking about quitting and finding something else to do with her life. Something that would stop reminding her of Ronan.
She took another sip of her drink, and then set it down. The guy sitting beside her took the opportunity to slide in closer to her. “Hey, baby. Can I buy you a real drink?”
She didn’t even turn to face him. His booze breath managed to hit her in the face anyway. “No, thank you.”
He touched her arm. This, of course, was a huge mistake. “Come on. That’s why you’re here, isn’t it? To hook up with someone like me?”
She turned, then, to look at him, about to tell him to take a flying leap off a high cliff, when the fire in his eyes froze the words in her throat. Her amulet was glowing blue and it burned her skin. She’d been so distracted that she hadn’t noticed it warming on her flesh before now.
He grinned at her. “Hello, Ivy Strom. It’s so awesome to finally meet you.” Before she could react, he had her spun around and forced her into a headlock, a knife pricking at her throat. “Don’t move or I will slice you open.”
The other patrons around them jumped back and two lovely drunk ladies screamed at the top of their lungs. This was good, she supposed, because it would let Quinn know she was in some serious shit.
He started backing up, dragging her with him. Others moved out of their way, giving him fantastic access to the exit. She really wished people would sometimes get involved.
Quinn moved up along one side, but the demon spied him. Probably noticed him long before he even got there. The demon poked her in the neck with the tip of the blade. It stung something fierce.
“One more step, Quinn Strom, and baby sister here is dead.”
Quinn put his hands up, palm out, in surrender. “Look, we just want to talk to you. We’re not here to kill you.”
The demon smirked. “Yeah, right. When have the Stroms not killed demons? You’re famous for it.” He continued to back up toward the exit.
Quinn followed him, careful of not getting too close to spook him. Thank goodness, because believe it or not the demon’s hand shook. The tip of the blade pressed into her skin with every shake. He was afraid. That surprised her.
“I just have a couple of questions. I promise no harm will come to you.”
The demon didn’t believe him. Ivy didn’t, either. She knew Quinn would put him down no matter what he told them. He was single-minded that way. He had a ferocious hate on for demons in all forms.
The demon snickered. “Yeah, right.” They were a couple feet from the exit. A few people crowded around the door. “Open the damn door or I will cut this bitch open,” the demon shouted.
One enterprising guy jumped up and ran to open the door for them. Ivy wanted to kick him in the balls on the way out.
Quinn followed them out, his hands still up. She knew he was looking for a way to take the demon down without getting her killed. She was pondering the same thing. But just swallowing was killing her. The demon was getting careless with his knife. Almost every step he took jogged his hand and nicked her skin. She’d bleed out soon enough if he kept it up because one of those careless nicks could get her right in the jugular.
Once they were outside, Ivy looked around, or as much as she could without turning her head. She had to do something soon. She couldn’t let him take her any farther, especially not into a waiting vehicle. This had to end now.
Although she couldn’t see his face, Ivy knew the demon was also looking around, trying to figure out how he was going to escape unscathed. She could’ve told him that was an impossibility. After another minute, she sensed that he came to the same conclusion because she felt him relax a little.
“If I answer your questions, will you let me go?”
Quinn nodded. “Yes, but first you let my sister go.”
The demon shook his head. “No, I think I’ll keep her for a little while longer, just in case.” He turned her head so she could look at his face. “You don’t mind, do you, baby?”
She glared at him, and then croaked, “No, not at all, dickhead.”
He chuckled, but it had a nervous twitter to it. “Ask your questions.”
“Have you heard of the Chest of Sorrows?”
The demon shrugged, which caused his hand to move, which caused another slit along her skin.
“Watch your blade, asshole,” Ivy barked.
“Oh, sorry, sugar.” He lifted it slightly, enough that she considered her next move. He may have afforded her enough space between her neck and blade where she could safely break his hold on her.
“Was that a yes or no answer?” Quinn asked, his hand lowered to his sides now. It looked like he was gearing up to make a move, as well.
“I may have.”
“Do you know where it is?”
“No. But I might know who does.”
“Who?”
“Before I tell you, I want a guarantee I’ll get out of here alive.”
“I give you my word,” Quinn said.
The demon shook his head. “Sorry, but somehow that doesn’t give me any confidence.” He backed up again, taking Ivy with him. “No, I’ll just take pretty sis here with me until I think I’m safe, and then I’ll tell you.”
Quinn kept in step with them, about five feet away at all times. He looked at Ivy; she knew he was asking her the question,
